turning

Jonathon and Stevan- both 3rd born children -each of them have outstanding older and in Jonathon's case- almost star-powered -younger siblings.  Stevan makes a way for himself, (Jonathon not so much...)- the two are just 7 or 8 years old.  In his family, the strength of Carlos, the quiet beauty of Melissa and the full blown energy of his little brother Oscar... Jonathon can easily be overlooked.

When guest come to Siempre they often share their photos with me.  Across the years I've used them as a way to identify the social stars and social isolates among Siempre's kids.  Don't remember anyone ever saying to me that Jonathon was their "favorite" child.  And, perhaps more telling, is how difficult it is finding his picture in the mix of crazy shots of Fabian, Arturo, Vanessa, Oscar... the shiny pennies in the family.  Even going through the group photos I take every Wednesday, it's as if Jonathon's oblivious to the camera, rarely paying attention, often with his back turned, ready to move on to whatever's next.  Stevan- he jumps out of every frame -not Jonathon.

From his first day at Siempre- something about Jonathon made me want to follow up on him.  Like him, I'm third born with outstanding siblings: older and younger and something in his eyes, something about the way he'd wander off alone but then run back and plead for attention, reminded me of me as a child.  He's such a great kid!

On a recent Wednesday afternoon Debi and I were alone in the car.  We had business to tend to in San Diego and arrived at Siempre an hour or so later then usual.  Opening the doors we were swarmed by children- everyone wanting to "help."  Except Jonathon- while unloading this and that out of the back of the truck -he pulled at my shirt, my legs and kept repeating something in Spanish that I wasn't getting.  First I incorrectly thought he was asking if there were cupcakes for a birthday.  Turned away and went back to "work" but he was relentless- so unusual for him -I thought he was asking when the next party was.  Wrong again.  Finally Courtney, one of the wonderful young women giving their lives to Siempre's kids, rescued me- translated his question -it's one I've heard too many times from children old enough to know- but, broken, abandoned, entrusted to Siempre Para Los Ninos, they come without such simple knowledge.

"When's MY birthday?"  Turning to listen to Courtney translate for me- getting down eye to eye with Jonathon -giving my 100% attention, I listened again as she told me "He wants to know when his birthday is."  I don't know what age a child remembers their birthday, googled it and there doesn't seem to be any massive consensus- other then probably by the age of 6.  Doubt that it's a huge sign of developmental delay or even a massive reflection of being raised in dirt poverty with so little parental oversight... but it could be.  Even still, for Jonathon, quiet little guy that he is, to be demanding my attention and asking the question as if he was afraid it would somehow slip by and he would go unnoticed, made my heart catch in my throat and reminded me to slow down, take time, to let Jonathon know he matters in the middle of it all.

A photo I took of a group of kids in Kenya sits beneath my monitor.  In the heart of it is a child named Daniel Wekesa.  Think I took the photo on our first or second trip to Kitale and Lydia Monroe, a friend and founder of Oasis of Hope, (be their friend on fb!) an outstanding ministry to street children in Kitale, Kenya, recognised his face.  Like Jonathon, Daniel's lost in the middle of bigger kids, all of them pushing, crying out for attention.  I haven't been back to Kitale since 2007, even still, Daniel pushing his way through the midst, speaks deeply to my heart... reminds me of Jonathon, who wanted to know when HIS birthday was.  Daniel, like hundreds of millions of children in poverty, too many living on the streets, will never celebrate or even know the day of their birth.

It's time for a turning in America... around the world... haven't heard one presidential candidate talk about it, but it's what Jesus talked about- a turning -that when children pull at us for attention, we're not too busy... when children cry out with questions that cut to the core of all that's important to them at that moment, we get down on our knees- look them in the eye -and listen.  Jesus said: "Let the little children come to me and forbid them not, for of such is The Kingdom of Heaven."  If we fail to turn and listen it's not just the children who are lost- it's us -the best of who we were created to be quickly slips away.

Every birthday gets BIG TIME ATTENTION at Siempre!  Debi shopped for gifts and brought cakes for years.  Over the last few years Becky's fallen in love with spoiling Siempre's kids with cupcakes that speak to kids.  One party they'll be covered in gummy worms, once they were whales, they're always special, the kids receive a great gift and they know they're loved.  When we're not there- Alejandro and Aracelis, our directors, make sure there's a cake and mark the day in much the same way any family might.

Imagine trying to remember all the birthdays of the children at Siempre!  We've kept list for years- just too many kids.  I didn't bother to reach out and dig up my list for Jonathon's birth date- I just let him know that he wouldn't be forgotten... that was enough... he ran off to play and ignored me the rest of the day.  I doubt he even remembers asking but I haven't forgotten.  It was my miracle moment that Wednesday afternoon.  A simple reminder from Our Father- through Jonathon -to turn, listen and slow down.

Miracles live at Siempre.  Two groups are there this weekend discovering all God has to offer them as they give 100% to Siempre's kids... as they begin to learn how to turn.  We're going this Wednesday afternoon.  You might not be able to make it to Kenya- but there's a place in my car and You're Invited.  You're Needed.  Now, More Than Ever.  I'll introduce you to Jonathon.

siempre,

Eric M. Denton, pastor

Central Community